Industrial Cthulhu: Starting as an Island Lord

The Sirens’ organizational structure was highly efficient and swift.

With their Mind Link, nearly all information could circulate among individuals at an extremely high speed.

As soon as Hughes made a decision, team assignments and registrations had already begun on the other side.

By the time Hughes sent Chloe off, the assault team was ready.

From proposal to verification and final execution, the entire planning process took very little time.

Hughes witnessed the whole thing through the network.

Not only him, but every Siren participating in the operation could discuss, give opinions, and ultimately, Ash would make the final decision.

Hughes was not an all-rounder. He was better at advancing technology, and his ability to command the Sirens in battle was simply due to his modern concepts, such as the emphasis on information gathering.

Ash quickly learned these theories from him and executed them even better than he did.

She was like a perfect killing machine, powerful, swift, decisive. Moreover, the Sirens excelled at multitasking, making it effortless for them to fight and command at the same time.

Thus, Hughes only discussed the general strategy with Ash.

He did not interfere with execution, micro-management only made sense if one’s own control skills were exceptional.

When Hughes realized Ash was more adept at it, he completely handed over command to her.

Ash swiftly selected her team. She led Nini and the others in a direct charge.

Although Nini was not skilled in close combat, she had the strongest spellcasting abilities among the Sirens and a sharp mind, often coming up with all sorts of odd ideas, second only to Monica.

There were three support teams.

Two were responsible for actual reinforcement, equipped with a large amount of nitroglycerin floating in the shallow sea.

If pursuers appeared, they would use it for blocking. If overwhelmed, they would sink the nitroglycerin canisters and detonate them, this was primarily to counter the possibility of Pollution Beasts.

The final team was stationed between Castel and the Fishmen settlement, mainly acting as a signal relay to extend the Mind Link from Castel to the operation area.

In case of emergencies, they could provide rapid support.

”Our mission has two objectives. The first is to reach the Polluted Serpent and investigate what it is, ideally bringing back a sample. Una, you’ll handle this, and Nini will cover you.”

Una nodded. She carried a massive box filled with specialized polluted vessels for the Polluted Serpent, along with plenty of nitroglycerin.

Storing explosives in deep water was something Nini had researched extensively.

Ultimately, she used Fossil to Mud to craft numerous hollow containers, each filled with nitroglycerin and a miniature sea serpent she had summoned, essentially living fuses.

At the same time, Una was the only one wearing armor.

The Sirens had no suitable armor to wear.

Though Hughes had a few sets of full-body armor, they were designed for humans or small-statured individuals like Monica, and they weren’t particularly effective.

Armor that could withstand human strikes would dent under a single punch from a Siren. If they wielded weapons, they could easily tear through it.

Their scales were possibly even sturdier than the armor itself.

These armors were simply not designed with supernatural beings in mind.

Hughes considered crafting custom heavy armor for the Sirens.

Standing three meters tall and clad in heavy armor, they would be unstoppable on a mortal battlefield.

Una’s armor was something Nini had crafted herself.

Ever since successfully using Fossil to Mud to melt steel, she had been idly experimenting with random creations, and this armor was one of them.

Despite its unusual appearance, it had no significant flaws and was quite sturdy.

Ash’s gaze moved from Una to the rest of the team.

”Our second mission is to probe whether the Fishmens have stronger combat forces, whether it be Pollution Beasts or other creatures.”

The team members nodded. Since they had participated in planning, they already knew their roles and awaited Ash’s assignments.

Ash pointed at five people.

”You will focus on creating carnage. Make a big scene and try to lure out the enemy’s hidden forces. You may charge into battle, but don’t go too far. When I order a retreat, you must immediately abandon any enemies and withdraw. Additionally, your task is of lower priority than Una’s. Ensuring her successful sample collection is the top priority.”

”For the rest, except Nini, your main task is to protect Una and cover the retreat. While collecting samples, Una will be using Flesh Magic continuously, making her nearly defenseless. If the battle gets too intense, drag her away immediately. Understood?”

The Sirens all nodded.

Finally, Ash turned her gaze to the eager Nini.

”You’ll have free rein once we reach the polluted area. You’re good at research, which isn’t my expertise. Gather as much information on the Polluted Serpent as possible. If you need any assistance, report it immediately.”

Nini happily slapped her snake tail against the ground, raising a small cloud of dust.

”No problem! Leave it to me!”

Ash did not look away. She stared at Nini for a moment before slowly adding,

”If I am unable to command, the command authority will go to you.”

The Sirens turned to look at her. Even Nini’s snake tail froze in place as she frowned.

”Why?”

Nini was not known for being steady-minded.

She often acted impulsively, and Ash was well aware of this. Nini herself knew it, too.

Most Sirens were straightforward, this race could communicate telepathically, making deception unnecessary.

Among their own kind, they often pursued the truth relentlessly.

Ash’s tone remained unchanged, steady as ever.

”You’re quick-witted and always have new ideas. If I can’t command, it means we’ve encountered enormous trouble, trouble that normal methods might not be able to solve.”

She locked eyes with Nini and spoke seriously.

”I am strong, stronger than everyone. But strength alone does not guarantee solutions. If brute force fails, we can only rely on you.”

The cave fell silent. Even someone as lively as Nini closed her mouth.

They were Sirens. Their unwavering determination and fearlessness coursed through their blood.

Everyone felt it, and they all closed their eyes together.

This was their pre-battle ritual, Mental Synchronization.

With their minds linked, every decision would be carried out with absolute efficiency.

At this moment, the Sirens were no longer individual entities.

They were part of the greater whole that was the 【Siren】 race.

Like worker bees, each had their role, and each was willing to sacrifice without hesitation. This was their shared will.

Hughes felt the resonance of the Symbiotic Contract and slowly closed his eyes as well.

He was the Sirens’ central hub. All contracts flowed through him, and his very lifeforce carried the power to purify corruption.

The next moment, everyone opened their eyes at once.

『Battle begins.』